Dana Dane - Best Of Dana Dane

Released in 2002

It can be difficult to obtain many 80's rap albums since for whatever reason record companies aren't as quick to offer re-issues as they are with other genres. This problem doesn't only afflict lesser known releases; even rap classics that reached gold status are allowed to drift off and die, such as Dana Dane's 1987 debut Dana Dane With Fame. Luckily fans can either try to locate a used copy or they can do the next best thing: purchase the Best of Dana Dane compilation.

While a compilation album isn't a substitute for original studio albums, six of the ten tracks on Dana Dane's compilation appeared on Dana Dane With Fame, while the remaining four appeared on Dana Dane's second album, Dana Dane 4 Ever. To further break it down, the debut 1987 album had eight tracks, not including a quick intro, so this compilation contains all but two of the songs on Dana Dane With Fame. This may be one of the reasons a re-issue is slow in coming for his work.

Dana Dane possessed a very distinctive style reminiscent of Slick Rick, which should come as no surprise since they were friends, classmates in high school and partners in a previous rap group, the Kongol Crew. Like his former partner, Dana Dane weaves stories that are generally fun, silly and upbeat rather than pessimistic or vulgar. Even when this rapper is tackling a serious subject such as Delancey Street, a tale of three women mugging him at gunpoint, the work maintains a slightly goofy overtone.

Don't be surprised when you hear definite similarities between Dana Dane's and Slick Rick's work, for although the two didn't exactly rip each other off, they clearly did influence each other. Dana Dane doesn't reach the same smooth sing-song flow that Slick Rick was so adept at, but he adopts a strikingly similar cadence and accent. (Slick Rick was born in Britain, so his accent was legitimate. Dana Dane was born in Brooklyn, New York.) If you enjoy one rapper, chances are extremely high you'll also love the other.

Some of the album highlights are:

• Nightmare – This is the single that launched Dana Dane's solo career. Pure goofy 80's fun detailing his battles with dreadful nightmares.
• Cinderfella Dana Dane – Another hit single that ranks up there with the rapper's best work.
• Delancey Street – A track about one of the 80's worst crime-ridden Brooklyn streets, but the social commentary also shares the stage with the rapper's typical kooky splashes.

Although Dana Dane didn't reach the same levels of success and recognition as his former partner Slick Rick, rap fans did whole-heartedly embrace his debut work, scoring him a gold album. Modern rap fans that didn't grow up in the 80's may think it sounds dated, and quite frankly it does since 80's rap possessed a very different sound than today's offerings, but if you're a fan of old school rap then Dana Dane's work should be an essential part of your collection. Until the record companies grace us with a reissue of his debut album, Best of Dana Dane will provide you with the most complete look at his earlier works.

Rating: 8 stars

Track List Cinderfella Dana Dane Nightmares Keep the Groove This Be the Def Beat We Wanna Party Tales From the Dana Side Delancey Street Something Special Bedie Boo What Dirty Minds U Have

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